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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - BOCCGRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM (Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday) REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: BOCC REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: g VaSCjU@Z CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: B Vasquez CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: []YES ® NO DATE:11 /11 /25 PHONE:2g2$ ifs%/may _. �iiiiiiy. a e✓�/��/�i/i // oii�ii ❑Agreement / Contract ❑AP Vouchers ❑Appointment / Reappointment ❑ARPA Related ❑ Bids / RFPs / Quotes Award ❑ Bid Opening Scheduled ❑ Boards / Committees ❑ Budget ❑Computer Related ❑County Code ❑Emergency Purchase ❑Employee Rel. ❑ Facilities Related ❑ Financial ❑ Funds ❑ Hearing ❑ Invoices / Purchase Orders []Grants — Fed/State/County Ell -eases ❑ MOA / MOU *Minutes ❑ Ordinances ❑ Out of State Travel ❑ Petty Cash ❑ Policies ❑ Proclamations [:]Request for Purchase ❑ Resolution ❑ Recommendation ❑ Professional Serv/Consultant ❑ Support Letter [:]Surplus Req. ❑Tax Levies ❑Thank You's []Tax Title Property ❑WSLCB A.uliii/��%/��/.��//%�/�/�//�%��///�iii/i�� %�.��%��/i��.�Pj Approval of Commissioners Minutes for the week of 10/27/25. If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? ❑ YES ❑ NO 0 N/A If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? ❑ YES ❑ NO 0 N/A DATE OF ACTION: � DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO- APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN D2: D3: WITHDRAWN - 4/23/24 �Nt Co Grant County Board of CommissionersDE so I Meeting Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 - October 31, 2025 All public meetings were held in person with public access allowed at Commission Chambers, 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 as well as via Zoom. Zoom recordings will be posted to the YouTube page Grant County, WA: BOCC. CALL TO ORDER The Grant County Commissioner's Session was called to order at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess in attendance. 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Interim County Administrator Update Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin Manell, Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Interim County Administrator Update: • Consent: Walk -On Requests • Overall Department Update Summaries 0 2026 Budget Preparation o Safety Committee: Accident Review Committee o Insurance Increase Estimates for 2026 o Expense and Revenue Reports from Accounting • City of Richland Water Treatment Plant Tour o Follow-up Meeting During LEAD Summit • Sheriff's Office Deputy Swearing -In Ceremony • Clerk of the Board Update o WSAC Leaders Conference - Commissioner Meetings o Laserfiche Implementation Timeline Update o Commissioner's Office 2026 Budget • Fund 105 Balance to Date & 2026 Estimates • NACo Leaders Conference in Washington DC 2026 • Bridge Crossing Funding RCW 42.30.110(1)(f) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Personnel Disciplinary beginning at 8:50 a.m. to go until 9:00 a.m. In attendance were Matters Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess and Tom Gaines. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:00 a.m. The Commissioners attended the Sheriff's Office Deputy Swearing -In Ceremony at 9: 00 a.m., and continued the Interim County Administrator Update at 9:07a.m. Commissioner Jones returned at 9:20 a.m. 9:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m. Development Services Update (Commissioner Carter attended at 9:35 a.m.) Staff Present: Jim Anderson -Cook, Director; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Development Services Update: • Financial Update- October Preliminary • City of Richland Water Treatment Plant Tour • Shop City, LLC - Potential Wedding Venue Construction, Enforcement Needs, Agritourism 10:00 a.m. -10:15 a.m. Assessor's Office Update Staff Present: Melissa McKnight, Assessor; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Assessor's Office Update: • 2026 Budget Preparation o TI F Values o New Construction & State Utilities Estimates • Market Adjustment Progress • Shipley Assessed Value Appeal- Current Use Designation 10:15 a.m. =10:30 a.m. Clerk's Office Update Staff Present: Kim Allen, County Clerk; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Clerk's Office Update: • Compensation Connections -Job Description and Policy Reviews • 2026 Budget Preparation • New Jail Transition • Digital Document Review- Process Page 2 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. District Court Update (Cancelled) 10:45a.m.-11:00a.m. Commissioner Work Session Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin Manell, Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Commissioner Work Session: • Tourism Storage Unit -Tentative 11/12/25 o Staff to Coordinate with County Administrator • Commissioner Meeting Times on Agenda (Approved) 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Position Management Review (PMR) (Cancelled) 1:00 P.M. - 1:30 p.m. Washington Department of Fish &Wildlife (WDFW) Grant County Acquisitions Briefing Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; John Brissey, Public Works; Jim Anderson -Cook, Development Services; Brock Hoenes, Brian Gaston (via Zoom), Richard Finger (via Zoom), WDFW; Kristina Ribellia, Columbia Basin Conservation District The following Topics were presented and discussed during the WDFW Acquisitions Briefing: • Review of Proposed Acquisition Locations o Addressing of Area Issues • Road Accesses - Current Land Leases • Contact with Current Property Owners o Ownership Transfers • Public Access on Roads - Liability • County Acquisition of Lands for Shrub Steppe Mitigation o Competing Priorities of Land Acquisition o Restoration Projects -Funding 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 2026 Draft BOCC Budget Review (CommissionerJones left at 2: 00 p.m.) Staff Present: Caitlin Manell, Deputy Clerk; Emmalie Eckhart (via Zoom), Public Records Office; Anthony Garcia (via Zoom), Veteran Services Officer Page 3 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 The following Topics were presented and discussed during the 2026 Draft BOCC Budget Review:, • Review of Draft Funds 101 (Commissioners), 104 (Veterans),125 (Misc. General Govt) o Bottom Line Reviews, Past Year vs. 2026 Budget Differences o BOCC Office Travel & Tra i n i ng • Plaque for New Jail (Approved) • HWC Increase for 2026 MISCELLANEOUS ITEM • The Chair was authorized to sign the Tabitha Hernandez (DDD Hernandez Short Plat) File # P 25-0130 (preliminary P 24-0196) Final Plat Submission and Review. The Monday, October 27, 2025 session was closed at 2:29 p.m. SESSION CONTINUATION The session was re -opened on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with Commissioners Jones, Carter (via Zoom) and Burgess in attendance. 9:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m. Consent Agenda Review/Work Session Staff Present.- Barbara J. Vasquez and Caitlin ManelL, Commissioner's Office; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The followingTopics were presented and discussed during the Consent Agenda Review/Work Session: • New Jail Exterior • New K9 building • 2 walk-on items (Central, Services/Administrator) • Budget Revenue Printed • Veteran Services —Counseling Services / Bates Counseling • CHG Funding • LTAC Revenue Funding o Review of Policies for future funding Page 4 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 9:30 a.m. - 10: 00 a.m. Prosecuting Attorney's Office Update Staff Present: Trevor Bevier, and Barbara Duerbeck, CivilL Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Prosecuting Attorney's Office Update: • Contracts Review • Grant / Contract terms - Pending Contracts RCW42.30.110(l)(i) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Litigation beginning at 9:32 a.m. to go until. 9:38 a.m. In attendance were Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines, Barbara Deurbeck, Trevor Bevier. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9':38 a.m. RCW42.30.110(l)(i) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Litigation beginning at 9:39 a.m. to go until. 9:44 a.m. In attendance were Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines, Barbara Deurbeck. The session was continued to 9:50 a.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:50 a.m. 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. Human Resources Update Staff Present: Decorah Anderson -Cook, Director, Gina SaLdana, Assistant Director, and Johnathan Hartman, Human Resources; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Facilities and Maintenance Update: • Open Forum for Public Comment o The floor was open to members of the public to speak with a 5-minute total. Limit for Human Resources related topics only. There was no Public Comment provided. • Development Services - Deputy Fire Marshal. Position 0 2026 Budget / Revenue o Expenses not posted since May • 2026 Health Plan Contributions - 5% increase RCW42.30.110(1)(f) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Personnel Disciplinary beginning at 10:02 a.m. to go until. 10:07 a.m. In attendance Matter were Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines, Decorah Anderson -Cook, Gina SaLdana and Jonathan Hartman. The session continued until. 10:10 a.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 10: 10 a.m. Page 5 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Job beginning at 10:14 a.m. to go until 10:25 a.m. In attendance Applicant/Evaluation were Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines, Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina Saldana. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 10:25 a.m. COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 11:00a.m. A. Callto Order B. Open Forum for Public Comment The floor was open to members of the public to speak with a 3- minute limit per person and a 15-minute total limit. Public Comment was provided about the following topics: • None C. Approval of Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY D. Board Correspondence • Toyoyama / Komaki Youth Exchanges -funding for 2026 E. Commissioner's Roundtable - Miscellaneous Discussion The following topics were presented and discussed during the Commissioner's Roundtable -Misc. Discussion: • 2 Walk-on Items from the County Administrator (1) • LTAC funding reviewed o Chambers could be funded by their cities F. Consent Agenda The following items are considered routine or were presented to Commissioners during earlier sessions listed above. All items are enacted by one motion. If a separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed and placed under Board Discussion/Decision. AUDITOR'S OFFICE 1. Payment of vouchers certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.090, as recorded on a listing, and made available to the Board. (in the amount of $1,8122071.12) COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE Page 6of10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 2. Approve reimbursement request from Beverly Water District on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $46,973.75. 3. Approve reimbursement request from Renew on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $2,415.00 for the month of August 2025. 4. Approve reimbursement request from Renew on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $3,465.00 for the month of September 2025. 5. Approve reimbursement request from Renew on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $2,100.00 for Veteran Services. 6. Approve reimbursement request from New Hope on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $22,553.76 for July 2025 services. 7. Approve reimbursement request from New Hope on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $24,848.73 for August 2025 services. 8. Approve reimbursement request from New Hope on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $24,601.76 for September 2025 services. 9. Approve reimbursement request from HopeSource on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $54,000.44 for July 2025 services. 10. Approve reimbursement request from HopeSource on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $46,854.63 for August 2025 services. 11. Approve reimbursement request from HopeSource on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $39,906.66 for September 2025 services. 12. Approve recommendation for funding from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for funding of 2026 Grant Couty Tourism Promotion Applications for events and year-round promotion. Total amount recommended to be funded for the 2026 year is $1,021,403.00. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 13. Request for approval and signature of a Letter of Support for Michelle Mercer, Planning Manager, to participate in the National Association of Counties (NACo) rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange, scheduled for December 1 — 31 2025. NEW HOPE 14. Request for Director to sign the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project CFDA#1 4.276 Subrecipient Agreement No. WA0490YOT01 2403 with HopeSource effective 10-1 -25 through 9-30- 26 for supportive services and administrative costs in the amount of $92, 648.00. Page 7 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 PUBLIC WORKS 15. Request for the Chair to electronically sign the Rural Arterial Program Project Agreement for Project No. 25-13-1091 Amendment No. 1 with the State of Washington County Road Administration Board (CRAB) for the Q-SW Project. Amendment increases the funding to $1,732,500.00. TREASURER'S OFFICE 16. Request to increase. the 2026 Assessment Rates for the Turnkey Lighting District from $24.00 to $28.00 per parcel; and the HiLLcrest Lighting District from $16.00 to $24.00 per parcel. If approved to move forward, a public hearing will be scheduled. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 16 AS PRESENTED. Holding item 12 MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. G. Board Discussion/Decision Items • Walk -On Items: o Central Services Change Order to GMP Contract for the new jail between Lydig Construction and Grant County. Amount is an increase of $569,234.00. Costs are built into the project and will be paid by contingency or other savings on the project. o Central Services Construction Contingency Use Authorization (CCUA). This will be the second CCUA for the Grant County Law & Justice Center (Jail), authorizing the Contractor (Lydig) to utilize budgeted contingency funds ($235,887.00) to perform work required on the project. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE 2 WALK-ON REQUESTS AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. I. Adjournment The Commissioner's Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. V Bryan, Cave B Proposal (via Zoom) Staff Present: Tom Gaines, County Administrator (I) The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Cave B Proposal: • Master Plan approved in 2006 Page 8 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27,2025 • 6.5 acres - celebration of the arts, sciences and environment • Smaller amphitheater for this project. • Private and Public process -funding needs. Completed by August 2026 • Bring tourism from around the world • Ballet, Live theater, symphonies - cultural performance center 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 p.m. Budget & Finance AND Finance Committee Meeting Staff Present: Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Mandy Kim and Amanda Simonsen, Accounting; Decorah Anderson -Cook, Human Resources; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Budget Meetings: • State Pool numbers • Sales Tax Revenue Numbers o Sales tax Less next year due to jail • State received revenue o Bring this to the State Legislators at the LEAD Conference • Cash positions at the end of September o Transfers not completed by Accounting • Property Tax income affected by refunds • New Jail • Due to multiple conversations going on, minutes were not taken. • Transfers have not been completed yet. • GP and Tyler Tech will still need to be paid for in 2026. • Pretax- social security /wages • Treasurer's Financial Package - Districts received new reports o Future Star Reports • Treasurer's Webpage update o Easier public access • Finance Committee September Minutes for approval. • Transfers will be accounted for. • Cash balance will be updated as of September • Fund 105 • Conversion of Tyler Accounts • Monthly reports - Revenue should be kept at the department Level; expenses are current, but no formal reports are available. Page 9 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025 The Tuesday, October 28, 2025 session was closed at 2:04 p.m. Meeting Minutes for the week of October 27, 2025 were approved this � � day of 1A- , 2025. Attest: Barb ra J. Vasque Cl of the Board BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Grant County, Washington Kevin Burgess, ember Page 10 of 10 BOCC Minutes Week of October 27, 2025